Evergreen man dies on Colorado River

GRAND COUNTY - An Evergreen man died Friday morning after his canoe flipped over in the Colorado River in Grand County.

William Trippe, 31, died after the canoe overturned in the class two-plus Needle Eye rapid of Little Gore Canyon, according to a press release from the Grand County Sheriff's Office.

Trippe was canoeing with two adults and one child - all of whom were dumped into the water when the vessel flipped. Trippe was the only person not wearing a life jacket, the release said.

Eric Patchen, an employee of Rapid Transit Rafting, made several attempts to rescue Trippe by throwing him a rescue rope, but Trippe disappeared under the water. Patchen was able to swim out and bring the rest of the group to shore.

Trippe's body was later located down river in the Radium area. The death appears to be a drowning, according to the Grand County Coroner's Office, but an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause of death.